Press Releases

Young Welcomes Secretary Zinke’s Actions to Lift Ammo Ban

“Good Day for Sportsmen and Good Day for Second Amendment”

Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today welcomed Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke’s actions to overturn a final-hour rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to significantly restrict sportsmen’s access and Second Amendment rights upon federal lands:

“The Obama administration’s final hour assault on our nation’s sportsmen and gun owners – a ban on commonly used lead-based ammo and fish tackle on national wildlife refuges – capped off what many consider the eight longest years for our hunting, angling and outdoorsman communities,” said Congressman Don Young. “This politically charged decision – made without consultation with state and local stakeholders – had little to do with science and conservation, but more about sending one last parting gift to our nation’s most extreme environmental elite. I applaud Secretary Zinke for his quick and definitive action to overturn this unilateral taking by the Obama administration. Across the nation, we should recognize this as good day for sportsmen and a good day for the Second Amendment. By reinstating the use of commonly used ammo and tackle across federal lands, and working to increase public access and recreation opportunities nationwide, Secretary Zinke sends a clear message that the Department of Interior is serious about serving the American people and restoring a level of trust that’s been eroded for far too long.”

On January 19, 2017, the final full day of the Obama administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife issued an order to phase out the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands over a five-year period.

Congressman Young has long fought to protect the rights of hunters, sport shooters and fisherman by clarifying laws surrounding the use of traditional ammunition and fishing tackle. The House passed H.R. 2406, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act (SHARE Act), during the 114th Congress, which included provisions to eliminate the burdensome regulatory requirements impeding hunting opportunities including the regulation of lead ammunition.